The Canadian Cancer Society has issued an apology for using the term “cervix” on a webpage aimed at transgender and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth.

In a section on cervical cancer screenings for the LGBTQ+ community, the charity acknowledges the mixed feelings some trans men and non-binary people have towards the word “cervix.” They suggested alternatives like “front hole” and explained their choice to use “cervix” to normalize that men can have these body parts too.

Social media reactions were swift and critical.

Dr. Kim Greene-Liebowitz from New York criticized the charity, saying, “If you can’t call body parts by their actual names, you really don’t deserve to have any role in health and medicine” on X. Another critic, Cecile Shaw, expressed frustration about the financial resources spent on such content, suggesting funds should instead be directed towards more doctors, cancer treatment, and diagnostic imaging machines on Twitter.

The term “bonus hole” has also gained popularity in recent years to refer to the vagina and cervix. Another social media user expressed disbelief, stating, “Cervix is the proper name,” and criticized the lack of awareness among professionals.